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Cruise passengers arriving in Kusadasi, one of Türkiye's major cruise tourism destinations, are increasingly taking their visits beneath the Aegean Sea, where divers can explore a sunken Airbus A300 aircraft alongside caves, rocky formations, fish species and other marine life.
The coastal district of Aydin, known for its natural setting and Blue Flag beaches, is also Türkiye's busiest cruise port.
While many passengers arriving aboard cruise ships head out to the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, some are adding diving to their itineraries to take in another side of the destination.
Local diving centers first take visitors through training covering equipment use, breathing techniques, underwater communication and safety rules. First-time divers are then taken to secure areas close to shore, while more experienced visitors can head out to different diving locations by boat.
Among the main attractions beneath the water is an Airbus A300 that was deliberately sunk to serve as a reef and contribute to tourism.
Divers can also come across caves, rocky formations and a variety of marine life, while underwater photographs and videos help visitors capture the experience.
Diving instructor Tagmac Saracoglu told Anadolu Agency that Kusadasi has 10 different diving locations and said cruise passengers have been showing interest in underwater experiences alongside cultural tourism.
He said certified divers can explore reefs stretching from the Pamucak area toward the national park, where underwater sites include old historical remains, stone anchors, large groupers, cavities, caves and areas where warm water emerges.
"We can introduce our guests to the magical world of Kusadasi underwater as well, allowing them to dive alongside the fish," Saracoglu said.
Praveen Keshava, who arrived from Britain on a cruise ship, said the dive had turned out to be an exciting experience, particularly because visitors were able to see and enter the submerged aircraft.
"We had so much fun. We saw the plane and went inside it. There were some fish I had never seen or recognized before. I had a great time," Keshava said.
He added that he had searched online for suitable places to dive while visiting the Mediterranean and had come across Kusadasi near Ephesus, describing the decision to dive there as a good one.
His daughter, Julie Keshava, also said experiencing a dive in another country had been particularly enjoyable.
Rick Peterson, another visitor who took part in the dive, similarly highlighted the opportunity to explore the aircraft underwater.
"Where else in the world can you do something like this the way you can here? It was so extraordinary to experience it. We were very fortunate to have a great team helping us make this dive today," Peterson said.
For cruise visitors stopping in Kusadasi, the diving opportunities add an underwater experience to a destination where trips to historical and cultural sites already form part of many itineraries.
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